Basketball players protest, demand action over NBBF leadership impasse

The Nigerian basketball players, on Tuesday, stormed the office of the Youth and Sports Development Minister, Mr Sunday Dare, to protest the perceived unwillingness of the ministry to resolve the post election impasse rocking the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), since January 31, 2022.

Two elections took place on the said date - in Abuja as directed by the Ministry and in Benin City as decided by the immediate past president of the NBBF, Musa Kida.

The visibly angry players led by the Players Representative in the Igoche led NBBF Board, Stanley Gumut, later told sports journalists that the procession to the Sports Minister’s office was part of resolutions reached at their meeting held last Tuesday.

Gumut said, at the meeting, the players were agitated that the ministry appeared to be indifferent, while the leadership tussle takes a toll on their individual careers, and hampers the growth of the domestic component of Nigerian basketball.

The players who turned out in their scores added that the resolution to visit the Minister was a sequel to the non receipt of a response from a series of letters written to him.

“We thought it wise to visit the Games Master General of the country, and have an honest conversation with him.

“Our visit shouldn’t be deemed a protest because it is a visit to the Sports Minister, who in addition is the custodian of all sports in Nigeria.

“Mark D Ball Championship has kept us busy in recent years but with the championship coming to an end, we are tempted to ask, what would become of our future as players?” Gumut asked rhetorically.